Shotgun goes off in home, wife dies, husband arrested

ORLEANS, IN (WAVE) – An Indiana mother is dead after a shot-gun went off in her home. Her husband has been arrested. It is news that has shocked a small community.

Even though crime scene tape no longer surrounds this home on North Franklin Drive in Orleans. Emotions are still high as friends and family try to cope with what happened here over the weekend.

For neighbors, seeing swarms of police officers is not something this community is use to. "It was very shocking and then to see that someone got shot was even more shocking," said Christina Adkins, who lives nearby.

Indiana State Police say 31-year-old John Henry Rutherford was showing off a new shotgun to neighborhood boys inside his house when he pulled the trigger. It is unclear why that happened, but the gun was loaded and his wife, Jody Rutherford, who was in the same room was hit. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The dad of three was arrested and charged with reckless homicide.

On Saturday night, Mr. Rutherford was taken to the Orange County Jail in Paoli, but by Monday afternoon, he bonded out for $2,500 cash.

"That just has to be terrible on him," said Adkins.

While police believe the shooting does not appear to be intentional, they say Mr. Rutherford acted negligently.

"It's a tragic accident and it just comes to a surprise to this small community in Southern Indiana, a lot of us own guns, I own a gun," said Trent Scott, who lives nearby. "These things just happen."

Neighbors can't help but feel for everyone involved. "My prayers are with them, I just hope they make it through this ok and I hope everything turns out for the best," said Adkins.

"We just hope for the best and everything turns out well and we keep the family in our thoughts and prayers," said Scott.

Police say the Rutherford's three children are staying with other family members.